Independent Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central and Member of the NDC Majority Caucus, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus, has praised President John Dramani Mahama for deploying the Ghana Armed Forces to support the construction of the Accra–Kumasi Expressway project.
According to him, the President’s decision to involve the military in clearing forest corridors for major road infrastructure reflects what he described as practical and resourceful leadership that deserves overwhelming public approval.
He argued that the initiative demonstrates how the military can be repositioned beyond ceremonial duties and international peacekeeping operations to play a direct role in national development.
Repositioning the Role of the Military
A-Plus noted that for years, personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces had largely been engaged in peacekeeping missions abroad and ceremonial duties such as Independence Day parades, with limited involvement in domestic development projects.
He said the Accra–Kumasi Expressway project marks a shift in how the military’s skills and equipment are being utilised for national infrastructure expansion.
“It took President John Dramani Mahama to recognize that the military could also become a powerful force for national development by partnering with the Ministry of Roads and Highways to undertake transformative infrastructure projects such as the Accra–Kumasi Expressway.”
Kwame Asare Obeng alias A-Plus, Independent MP for Gomoa Central
Seized Equipment Redirected for National Use
The Gomoa Central MP further revealed that excavators, bulldozers, graders and other equipment seized from illegal mining operations have been handed over to the Ghana Armed Forces to support road construction works.
He explained that this decision has enabled the rapid clearing of more than 100 kilometres of dense forest terrain, significantly advancing the expressway project.
According to him, the use of confiscated equipment for development projects prevents wastage and ensures that state resources are redirected toward productive national use.
He said, “Instead of allowing seized equipment to mysteriously disappear, gather rust in government yards, or become a burden on the state, it is being put to productive use.”
Turning Illegality into Infrastructure
A-Plus argued that repurposing equipment previously used for illegal mining activities represents an innovative approach to governance and resource management.
He said the same machinery that contributed to environmental degradation is now being used to construct infrastructure that will improve connectivity, support trade, and stimulate economic growth.
He described the approach as evidence of what he called “common sense leadership,” adding that it transforms national challenges into development opportunities. According to him, this strategy ensures that state assets are not wasted but reinvested into projects that directly benefit citizens.
Praise for Presidential Leadership
The MP was emphatic that President Mahama’s leadership style reflects an ability to identify practical solutions to national problems. He stated that the deployment of the military and the reuse of seized equipment demonstrate foresight and efficiency in governance.
“Common sense in commercial quantities is a natural resource on its own, and that is exactly what John Mahama brings to the table: the ability to see opportunities where others see obstacles”.
Kwame Asare Obeng alias A-Plus, Independent MP for Gomoa Central
A-Plus added that such decisions should be recognised as transformative steps toward accelerated national development.
Commentary on Public Perception and Approval Ratings
A-Plus also used the opportunity to comment on public opinion regarding the President’s performance, suggesting that Mahama’s efforts in infrastructure development should translate into overwhelming approval.
He controversially remarked that any credible survey placing the President’s approval rating below 70 percent could be questionable, adding a humorous suggestion that such findings may lack seriousness.
He maintained that the ongoing road infrastructure projects, particularly the Accra–Kumasi Expressway, reflect leadership decisions that resonate strongly with the public.
The Gomoa Central Member of Parliament concluded that Ghana requires more innovative approaches to governance that convert challenges into opportunities for development.
He said the use of the military in infrastructure projects, combined with the repurposing of seized illegal mining equipment, represents a model of practical governance that should be encouraged.
For him, the Accra–Kumasi Expressway project stands as a symbol of how strategic leadership can accelerate national transformation while making effective use of available resources.
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